Job Summary
As the Head of People Operations at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), you will play a vital leadership role in shaping how we support, protect and enable our people. Reporting to the Assistant Director – HR Operations, you will lead a national People Operations service that delivers expert, consistent and compassionate people advice across the organisation. You will set strategic direction, manage complex and high-risk employee relations casework, and ensure our policies and practices are fair, inclusive and legally robust. Working closely with the Chief People Officer, Executive Team, trade unions and key partners, you will use insight, data and collaboration to continuously improve services, strengthen governance and enhance employee experience. This is a high-impact role where your expertise will help NHSBT deliver for colleagues, donors and patients across the UK.
Main duties of the job
• Lead and continuously develop a high-performing, customer-focused People Operations service across NHSBT.
• Provide senior oversight and direction on complex and high-risk employee relations and casework, protecting NHSBT’s people and reputation.
• Act as the senior professional lead and operational escalation point for people operations matters, advising executive and senior leaders.
• Build strong, constructive relationships with trade unions, staff networks and key stakeholders, promoting a restorative and inclusive approach.
• Set, monitor and report on KPIs and SLAs, using insight and data to drive service improvement and inform executive decision-making.
• Act as senior subject matter expert for operational HR policy, ensuring consistent interpretation, application and review.
• Embed equality, diversity and inclusion principles into all people operations practices and decisions.
• Provide assurance on governance, audit and legal compliance in partnership with Legal Services and centres of expertise.
• Line manage and develop multiple teams, ensuring clear priorities, capability building and strong engagement.
• Manage budgets across People Operations functions within a controlled financial environment.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
• Significant senior-level experience leading employee relations and HR operations in a complex, unionised environment.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop geographically dispersed teams to deliver high-quality services.
• Expert knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application to complex casework and policy.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills, with credibility at executive and board level.
• Demonstrated experience using data, insight and reporting to inform decisions, manage risk and drive improvement.
Qualifications and Training
• MSc in Human Resource Management or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Significant post‑qualification experience in a senior HR leadership role.
• Evidence of ongoing commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Willingness and ability to travel and work flexibly to meet the requirements of the role.